Kids & Sports Newsletter

Issue #1 - May 22nd 2004

Hello and welcome to the first issue of the Sports & Kids Newsletter. This is a very exciting moment for me because I will have the occasion, for a long time I hope, to share with you my passion. But first, let me introduce myself. My name is Mario Campeau. I live in Canada and I am involved in sports organizations for kids since 1979. At that time, I was finishing college where I was playing basketball. Not good enough to play University, I started coaching to stay involved in this sport I loved. I started coaching young boys, then young girls, and finally I ended up coaching the girls team of the college I used to play. In my first coaching years, I wasn't satisfied with the way the basketball association of my community was being managed. So, I got involved, got elected to the board and quickly became president. I did that for 8 years... until my priorities changed. You see, in the mean time, I became a father of my first of 3 daughters. When she was 3 years old, I signed her into the local gymnastics club. As I was taking her every week the volunteer administrator inside of me was eager to come out. So I started to offer my help for the club activities and,one thing leads to another, I became president... without any knowledge about gymnastic. You see (and that is a subject I will cover in the upcoming issues), you don't have to know your kid's sport to get involved an even be president of the board. In all organizations, there are coaches, there are volunteers, and there are administrators. Today, I am still president of the gymnastic club. My older daughter is now 14 and is competing at the national level. She is training at least 20 hours per week. My second daughter is 9 and is following her sister's steps. And my last one is 3 and is just starting gym classes. Now, am I well known in my community. My expertise is requested in all kind of committees such as abuse and harassment in sports, good sportsmanship, helping the poor children practice sports, having a multisports complex in the city, and so on. Kids sports have become a big part of my life even if it is all as a volunteer.  Oh, by the way, if you are wondering how do I feed my family, I have a real job: I am a consulting engineer doing R&D in telecommunications. So, that's about it for now. Let's get to work! ************************************ Here's a fun article I read a couple of years ago in Sports Illustrated for Kids. I found it very amusing and yet so true. So here goes: TEN THINGS PARENTS DON'T GET ABOUT KIDS AND SPORTS You may not want to hear this but...most kids have a lot to say about their parents ' involvement in their sports lives, especially what they don't like about it. Here is our Top 10 list of kids' advice for parents , gleaned from comments by S.I. FOR KIDS readers. During car rides to games or practice, kids don't want you to tell them how to do this or that. "I am not stupid," said one 12-year-old. "I know how to play the sport I play." Kids can get psyched for a game without your help. "I hate when parents say, 'Are you ready? We're going to win,' like they're playing," said one kid. It's your duty as a parent to sit quietly and watch your kids do wonderful things. Kids get bummed out when you miss games or yak it up too much with friends in the stands. "We're sweating and playing the game, and they're busy socializing," complained one girl. If you don't know what you're talking about, kids don't want you to talk. Typical comments: " Parents think they know the rules, but they don't." "My mom asks annoying questions." And "I hate when my mom tells me to do things even when she doesn't know the first thing about sports ." Even if you do know what you're talking about, kids don't want you to talk (unless you're the coach). "I hate when parents tell us to do the exact opposite of what the coaches say," said one child. Added another: "If your parent isn't the coach, he or she shouldn't try to be one." Kids wish you would practice what you preach about sportsmanship. "My mom always wants me to be a 'good sport,' but a lot of the time she blames the loss on the ref," claimed one kid. "Arguing with the refs is not only embarrassing, but it takes up time," said another. Kids often can't hear you yelling when they're concentrating on the game. Sometimes, they can. Either way, they don't like it. " Parents yell advice you don't hear because you're so into playing the game. Afterward they say, 'Why didn't you listen to me?' " complained one child. Said others: "I feel embarrassed when my parents yell so loud that the whole town can hear," and "They yell and scream and look like dorks." After they lose, kids don't want to be told it doesn't matter. Typical reactions: "I hate when we get knocked out of the playoffs and my parents say, 'You'll get them next time!' " and "When parents try to cheer you up after a loss, all they do is remind you of the score." After they lose, kids don't want to be told that it does matter. " Parents take losses harder than we do," wrote one boy. Advised one girl: "You win some, you lose some, no big deal! Get over it!" Kids just want to have fun. Parents just don't get this, kids say. Many kids say they would rather play on a losing team than sit on the bench on a winning one. Some would like to skip practice once in a while. "The thing that bugs me the most is that my parents take it too seriously," summed up one child. "They act like it's school."   ********************************* Having problems scheduling your volunteers? You have to many "no-show" in your activities? Keep in mind that volunteers are people who are giving some of their free time to help you and your organization. They are not employees that you can boss around at will. You also have to understand that most of these persons are not as maniacs as you are about their involvement. So threat them right. Take whatever they are ready to give, even if it is only a half-hour. If you are not sure that they will show up, schedule someone that will be absolutely present and if the uncertain volunteer shows up use him as an extra for replacements or unexpected things to do (there are always unexpected things to do :-D). That way, your schedule will be safe. The number 1 motto in volunteer work is FUN. Never forget that and you will always have all the volunteers you wish for a successful activity. ************************************** Do you have a question to ask, a subject you would like me to cover, or even an article you would like to publish? Do not hesitate and send me your suggestions to: Sports & Kids Newsletter Suggestions ********************************* You have hot pictures of your child in action? Want to keep them as souvenirs or offer a special gift? This guy is doing great sculptures with your pictures. Go see his site! It's great! Who knows what this sculpture will worth when your kid will be famous ;-) Photo-Sculptures ********************************** If you liked this newsletter, feel free to pass it along to your friends. To subscribe: Sports & Kids Newsletter ********************************* That's it for now! I will be back very soon with another great newsletter! And in the mean time, do not forget to have fun with your children!